Bible Verses about the Will of God

As a Christian, you've probably stared at the ceiling once or twice wondering "What is God's will for my life?". Big decisions, little decisions – sometimes it feels like there's an invisible target on our backs, and we're terrified of missing the mark of God's perfect plan.

In this post, I will share with you some key Bible Verses about the Will of God that answers the question on what God's will is for your life. These verses offer wisdom and direction when it comes to understanding what God's plan for us is and what He wants from us if we are to be called God's children.

See also: Top 7 Bible Verses About Helping Others in Need

Quick Answer: What Does the Bible Say About God's Will?

The Bible reveals that God's will encompasses both His sovereign plans that will unfold (Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:11) and His revealed desires for how believers should live. Scripture makes clear that God's will includes our sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3), giving thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18), doing good (1 Peter 2:15), and not conforming to worldly patterns (Romans 12:2). We can discover God's will through prayer, Scripture, wisdom from God (James 1:5), and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Jesus modeled perfect submission to God's will, even unto death (Matthew 26:39), showing us that knowing and doing God's will is central to the Christian life.

Bible Verses about the Will of God

Understanding God's Sovereign Will

Romans 8:28 - "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Ephesians 1:11 - "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will."

Proverbs 19:21 - "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

Proverbs 16:9 - "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

Isaiah 46:10 - "Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"

Psalm 33:11 - "The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations."

Job 42:2 - "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted."

Daniel 4:35 - "All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, 'What have you done?'"

Acts 2:23 - "This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men."

God's Revealed Will for Believers

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 4:3 - "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality."

1 Peter 2:15 - "For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people."

Romans 12:2 - "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Ephesians 5:17 - "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

1 Peter 4:2 - "So as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God."

Colossians 4:12 - "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God."

Hebrews 13:21 - "Equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."

1 John 2:17 - "And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

Seeking God's Will for Specific Decisions

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Psalm 143:10 - "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!"

Colossians 1:9 - "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding."

Psalm 25:4-5 - "Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long."

Proverbs 2:3-5 - "Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."

Psalm 32:8 - "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."

Isaiah 30:21 - "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."

Proverbs 16:3 - "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."

Doing God's Will

Matthew 7:21 - "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

John 7:17 - "If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority."

Hebrews 10:36 - "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."

Ephesians 6:6 - "Not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart."

1 Peter 4:19 - "Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."

Mark 3:35 - "For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother."

1 John 2:17 - "And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

John 4:34 - "Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.'"

Hebrews 13:21 - "Equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."

Jesus' Example of Submitting to God's Will

Matthew 26:39 - "And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'"

John 6:38 - "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me."

Hebrews 10:7 - "Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.'"

Luke 22:42 - "Saying, 'Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.'"

John 5:30 - "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me."

John 4:34 - "Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.'"

Matthew 26:42 - "Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, 'My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.'"

Hebrews 10:9 - "Then he added, 'Behold, I have come to do your will.' He does away with the first in order to establish the second."

Philippians 2:8 - "And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

God's Will and His Kingdom

Matthew 6:10 - "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

2 Peter 3:9 - "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

1 Timothy 2:3-4 - "This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

Ezekiel 18:23 - "Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?"

Ezekiel 33:11 - "Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?"

Acts 17:30 - "The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent."

Matthew 18:14 - "So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."

Revelation 4:11 - "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."

John 6:39-40 - "And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."

How Can I Know God's Will for My Life?

• Read and study Scripture daily - God's written Word reveals His character, commands, and principles for living (Psalm 119:105)
• Pray consistently and listen - Ask God for wisdom and direction, then wait expectantly for His guidance (James 1:5)
• Obey what you already know - Follow the clear instructions in Scripture about holy living before seeking additional revelation (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
• Seek wise counsel - Get input from mature believers who know Scripture and can offer biblical perspective (Proverbs 11:14)
• Pay attention to circumstances - Notice open and closed doors, opportunities, and how God orchestrates events (Proverbs 16:9)
• Examine your desires - As you grow in Christ, God often aligns your desires with His will (Psalm 37:4)
• Test everything against Scripture - Any decision should align with biblical principles and God's character (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
• Listen to the Holy Spirit - The Spirit guides believers into truth and conviction (John 16:13)
• Be patient and trust God's timing - Don't rush decisions; wait for clarity and peace (Isaiah 40:31)
• Step out in faith - Move forward with what you know, trusting God to redirect if needed (Proverbs 3:5-6)